Maintaining a high run rate for a complete innings is a difficult task even in T20 cricket. To maintain a high run rate multiple players need to play big knocks with a strike rate in excess of 250. Recently, in the Asian Games, Nepal smashed multiple batting records against Mongolia. In addition to being the first team to score more than 300 runs in T20Is, Nepal now holds the record for the highest run rate in a completed innings. Here are the top 10 highest run rates in completed T20I innings.
Top 10 highest run rate in completed innings
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| Team | Score | Overs | Run Rate | Opposition | Date |
| Nepal | 314/3 | 20 | 15.7 | Mongolia | 27th September, 2023 |
| Afghanistan | 278/3 | 20 | 13.9 | Ireland | 23rd February, 2019 |
| Czech Republic | 278/4 | 20 | 13.9 | Turkey | 30th August, 2019 |
| Australia | 263/6 | 20 | 13.5 | Sri Lanka | 6th September, 2016 |
| Sri Lanka | 260/6 | 20 | 13 | Kenya | 14th September, 2007 |
| India | 260/5 | 20 | 13 | Sri Lanka | 22nd December, 2017 |
| Czech Republic | 258/2 | 20 | 12.9 | Bulgaria | 12th May, 2022 |
| West Indies | 258/5 | 20 | 12.9 | South Africa | 26th March, 2023 |
| Denmark | 256/5 | 20 | 12.8 | Gibraltar | 29th June, 2022 |
| New Zealand | 254/5 | 20 | 12.7 | Scotland | 29th July, 2022 |
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Nepal vs Mongolia (15.7)
During the Men’s T20I cricket event of the Asian Games in 2023, Nepal smashed all batting records against Mongolia. Nepal became the first team to score 300 runs in a T20I innings and by doing so now holds the record for most runs scored in a T20I innings (314/3). Kushal Malla led the charge by scoring the fastest T20I hundred in just 34 balls. Dipendra Singh Airee provided the finishing touch by smashing the fastest half-century in just nine balls. Their run rate at the end of the innings was 15.7.
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Afghanistan vs Ireland (13.9)
Afghanistan is the team with the joint second-highest run rate in a completed T20I innings. Afghanistan against Ireland in 2019 scored 278 runs in their 20 overs. The historic total was only possible due to the incredible striking of Hazratullah Zazai. Zazai scored 162 runs in just 2 balls. Afghanistan’s run rate at the end of their innings was 13.9.
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Czech Republic vs Turkey (13.9)
The Czech Republic is tied with Afghanistan for the second-highest run rate in a completed T20I innings. They achieved the feat against Turkey in August 2019. The Czech Republic scored 278 runs courtesy of Sudesh Wickramasekara scoring 104 runs in just 36 balls batting at number 5. They had a run rate of 13.9 at the end of the innings.
Conclusion
In the world of T20 cricket, maintaining a high run rate throughout an innings is a formidable challenge, demanding exceptional batting prowess. The recent display by Nepal in the Asian Games against Mongolia was nothing short of historic. Nepal not only became the first team to breach the 300-run mark in a T20 International but also set a new record for the highest run rate in a completed innings, an astonishing 15.7. Led by the explosive performances of Kushal Malla and Dipendra Singh Airee, Nepal’s remarkable achievement showcases the evolving dynamics of T20 cricket and serves as a testament to the thrilling possibilities that this format continues to offer for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
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